Very astute observations of human behaviour when confronting death.. fear of showing real emotion,fear of death and phoney bonhomie out of awkwardness.A recent experience for me.I find being with the mourners more stressful than actually confronting death with the dying person.

The outer shell changes but not the essence of the person.I am sure you are still a 25 year old trapped in the body of an indeterminately aged person (ahem)

You have described this to perfection, and taken us right to the bedside, captured peoples' hearty bluster so well.....and also taken us back to the young beautiful girl she once was and still remembered, within. When I visit the dying, I love seeing the photos of their busy lives - their families - their furnished homes - reflecting on how vital it all was, winding down to a hospital bed, a toothbrush and a comb.